When politicians act like preachers, we get members of the House of Representatives falling over themselves to sponsor House Resolution 59 condemning Bishop Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C. Imagine the House of Representatives taking time away from…
Trump at the National Cathedral: We’ve already fought this war
What did Donald Trump think would happen when he showed up at Washington National Cathedral Tuesday morning for the traditional interfaith prayer service attached to most presidential inaugurations since 1933? Did he think the Episcopal Church would change its theology…
Maybe preachers count after all
We stepped up to the desk and the attendant gave instructions about the pre-op procedure, the location of the waiting room, restroom, vending machines and what to expect over the next few hours. She informed the wife and son of…
Helicopter preaching
In early July, I called the Rev. Dr. Darryl Aaron, pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C. It was the latest moment in our country’s crisis of racism and violence, as we mourned Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. My…
Sermon making — a peek behind the curtain
In my free time I’ve recently begun watching the PBS series Grantchester, a television show about a village priest who solves murders in his free time. Since my free time doesn’t seem to be as generous as Mr. Chambers’, the…
How do preachers end a sermon?
Several weeks ago, I wrote that it takes nothing short of a miracle for a pastor to write a sermon every week. It is true that sermons are the stuff of miracles, and I stand by my premise. Yet, for…
Why do you keep asking God to throw you a Hail Mary pass?
Some Christians treat God like an all-star National Football League quarterback such as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees. They have failed at some aspect of the game of life and ask God to throw them a Hail Mary…
Beware of fact checkers
My uncle James is one of the greatest storytellers I have ever known. He just loves sharing a good story. I remember an early morning phone call (5 am) while I was a student in England when he just had…
You can’t say that
It showed up on a Facebook post in response to my sermon: During the sermon, Don spoke for one of David’s brothers saying, “SHUT UP!” It was at this point that a squirmy four-year old looked up at me with…